Todd Van Emst, AuburnThe 400-yard medley relay team celebrates after winning the event at the SEC championships last month. In water are Arianna Wanderpool-Wallace, Ava Ohlgren, Micah
Lawrence and Melissa Marik.

For the first time in a while, the Auburn women's swimming and diving team is participating in the NCAA championships without setting a goal of winning it all.

With only 10 athletes competing this week at Purdue University, coach Brett Hawke acknowledged it's unrealistic to expect the Tigers to compete for a team championship.

Instead, Auburn will be focused on solid times and individual performances that will allow the Tigers to climb as high in the standings in possible.

"It's a really relaxed, confident team, even though we're bringing a smaller number than we usually do," Hawke said.

Hawke described it as a "transition" year for the women's team. Next year's incoming class has been ranked No. 1 in the nation, he said.

"In a way we're sort of rebuilding," he said. "At the same time, we have some great athletes who will be competing this week."